Senior-most Nitin Patel is No. 2 again

For the second time in little over a year, Nitin Patel, among the senior-most BJP leaders in Gujarat, and the one with vast experience in the government, was appointed as the state's deputy CM.

The first time it happened was in August last year, after Anandiben Patel's abrupt resignation as CM. A staunch loyalist of Narendra Modi, Nitin Patel was actually seen as the front-runner for taking over as CM, but in a last-minute change, BJP picked Vijay Rupani as chief minister, and Patel was appointed his deputy. This time, his appointment as Number 2 was on expected lines. A six-time MLA, Patel won from Mehsana in the just-concluded assembly elections, staving off a tough fight from Congress candidate Jivabhai Patel, and 32 others. For the record, Mehsana had 34 candidates in the fray, the highest among all 182 seats.

The 61-year-old, who was first elected to Kadi Municipality in the late 70s, was elected to the legislative assembly in 1990, 1995, 1998, 2007 and in 2012. He had lost narrowly from Kadi seat in Mehsana district in 2002 elections, which were held a few months after the post-Godhra riots.

"I started from the municipality, and have reached the position of deputy CM. Crores of Gujaratis love and respect me. My party has given me many important responsibilities, and I am happy with what I have," Patel had told DNA before the elections when asked about his aspirations for the CM's post.

Patel had first served as a minister in 1995, when BJP came to power in the state for the first time.